Le Fresnoy is a post-graduate art and audiovisual research center, opened in October 1997 and financed by the Ministry of Culture with the Nord/Pas-de-Calais Regional Council and Tourcoing Town Council. It was conceived by Alain Fleischer who is also the artistic and pedagogic director.

As its full name - National Studio - indicates, it is a place of production (studio) as well as study. Its aim is to enable young artists to produce works using professional standard equipment under the direction of established artists. The emphasis is on breaking down the barriers between media and languages.

The work of production is complemented by an ambitious communications policy. This includes various exhibitions and events which explore all aspects of creativity, in particular 'Panorama', when all the works produced at Le Fresnoy are presented under the auspices of a guest chairman every year in June.

The theoretical and practical work embraces all audiovisual languages, from electronic and traditional media (photography, cinema and video) to digital technology and other state of the art media developments.